UPDATE: Political tensions in Pljevlja escalate as coalition talks continue over the local government crisis. Today, key discussions are ongoing among coalition partners, revealing deep divisions within the ruling majority regarding the proposed budget and leadership of the municipality.
Local media report that during a meeting yesterday, attended by party leaders and municipal officials, urgent matters were addressed, including the 2026 budget proposal. Notably, the Europe Now Movement reiterated their refusal to support the budget while Dario Vraneš remains in charge of the municipality, according to TV Pljevlja.
The Democratic Party has demanded revisions to the budget focusing on youth projects, increased funding for entrepreneurship, and the establishment of a free zone. They also called for resolutions to ongoing disputes within various sectors. Meanwhile, representatives from the Democratic People’s Party and independent councilors have not proposed new suggestions and support the budget as it stands.
The New Serbian Democracy party held a meeting last night with Milan Lekić, the municipality’s president, where councilors presented their proposals. The fact that this meeting occurred indicates successful mediation by Andrija Mandic, as Lekić currently lacks the majority needed to remove Vraneš from his position.
Jovana Tošić, President of the Pljevlja Municipal Assembly, has scheduled the continuation of the 24th session for March 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM. This session, which formally began on December 29, 2024, will address the budget proposal and reports from municipal enterprises.
After a recent Collegium meeting of the Assembly, attended by leaders from both the ruling majority and opposition, a consensus was reached to resume discussions on March 9. The previous attempt to continue the session on January 22 was thwarted due to a lack of quorum, with only ten councilors present—five from the opposition and five from the ruling coalition.
Protests have surged among members of the New Serbian Democracy in Pljevlja, sparked by reports that four of their councilors are unwilling to support Vraneš’s budget proposal. Following a statement from NSD, which expressed their opposition to a budget backed by the Democratic Party of Socialists, the local DPS reacted strongly.
The DPS stated that the decision by part of the government to avoid quorum and reject the budget is a direct attack on the citizens of Pljevlja. They accused the ruling coalition of intentionally hindering development projects and social programs, prioritizing their political survival over the community’s needs.
“Instead of wasting time on ineffective statements, take political responsibility, return mandates to the citizens, and acknowledge that your leadership has completely collapsed. Pljevlja cannot wait for your ‘brotherly agreements’ that always end in blockages,” the DPS statement concluded.
As the political landscape in Pljevlja continues to shift, eyes are on the upcoming assembly session. Will the ruling coalition find common ground, or will divisions lead to further instability? Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.
